ASL/English Interpreting Major (B.S.)

Program Overview

The American Sign Language (ASL)/English Interpreting program at UNH Manchester is a nationally recognized program that provides students with a strong foundation in ASL, Deaf culture, and the interpreting process. The program prepares students for state-level interpreter screening or national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) interpreter certification. Graduates are prepared for careers in ASL/English interpreting, Deaf education, rehabilitation, and other fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The American Sign Language (ASL)/English Interpreting program at UNH Manchester is a specialized, in-depth program with a national reputation for quality.
It was the first interpreting program in the country to be found in compliance with the National Interpreter Education Standards and the first to be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education.
• Objectives: The program provides students with a strong theoretical foundation as generalists in ASL/English Interpreting and helps prepare them for either state-level interpreter screening or national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) interpreter certification.
• Description: Interpretation requires bilingual and bicultural competence in spoken English and American Sign Language.
The program is guided by the premise that deaf people, as a linguistic minority, possess their own cultural values, literature, history, traditions, and social conventions. Students receive a foundation in American Sign Language, Deaf culture, and the interpreting process, and their programs of study often include elective courses examining specific specialized settings such as Healthcare or on special topics such as theater and translation.

Outline:

• Content: The program covers a wide range of topics, including:
• American Sign Language
• Deaf culture
• Interpreting process
• Ethics and professional standards
• Translation
• Comparative linguistic analysis
• Simultaneous interpretation
• Consecutive interpretation
• Field experience
• Structure: The program consists of 64 credits in the major, 40 credits in the University's Discovery program, and 24 credits in elective courses.
Students must complete all major courses with a grade of C or better.
• Course Schedule: The program is typically completed in four years.
The sample course sequence is as follows:
• First Year:
American Sign Language I and II, First-Year Writing, A Socio-cultural Perspective on the Deaf Community, First Year Seminar, and a Discovery Course.
• Second Year: American Sign Language III and IV, Introduction to Interpretation, Ethics and Professional Standards for Interpreters, Translation, and a Comparative Linguistic Analysis for Interpreters.
• Third Year: Advanced American Sign Language Discourse I and II, Consecutive Interpretation I and II, and Discovery and elective courses.
• Fourth Year: Simultaneous Interpretation, Field Experience and Seminar I and II, and elective courses.
• Modules: The program does not appear to be divided into modules.

Assessment:

• Methods: Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
• Exams
• Quizzes
• Projects
• Presentations
• Field experience
• Criteria: Students are assessed on their knowledge of ASL, Deaf culture, and the interpreting process.
They are also assessed on their ability to interpret accurately and ethically.

Teaching:

• Methods: The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Role-playing
• Simulations
• Field experience
• Faculty: The program's faculty are experienced interpreters and educators.
They are committed to providing students with a high-quality education.
• Unique Approaches: The program offers a unique approach to teaching interpreting that emphasizes the importance of cultural competence.
Students are encouraged to learn about Deaf culture and to interact with Deaf people in a variety of settings.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the ASL/English Interpreting program may pursue careers in:
• ASL/English interpreting
• Deaf education
• Rehabilitation
• Health care
• Audiology
• Social work
• Counseling
• The media
• Opportunities: Graduates are prepared for further study in such fields as psychology, communication, linguistics, sociology, and anthropology.
• Outcomes: The program has a high placement rate for graduates.
Many graduates go on to work as interpreters in a variety of settings.